Coin holder for mail boxes



May 5, 1931. D. A. LIGHTY COIN HOLDER FOR MAIL BOXES Filed April 11, 1930 a... ,............n.,-,n

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gmentms AM a) fla 4% Patented May 5, 1931 UNITED STATES nnvm A. LIGHTY, ornnonwoon, IOWA com HOLDER ron MAIL BOXES Application filed April 11,

This invention relates to improvements in coin holders for mail boxes.

The main object is to provide a simple and efficient coin holder from which the 5 coins may be readily and conveniently extracted even with gloves on the hands.

Another object is to provide a coin holder which may be easily applied in any position in any type of mail box.

A further object is to provide a coin holder in a simple, durable and cheaply manufactured form which will be efficient in fulfilling its function.

The foregoing and other objects together 15 with means whereby the same may be carried into effect will best be understood from the following description of one embodiment of the invention taken in connection with the accompanying drawing wherein:

Figure 1 is a side View of the coin holder as mounted on the underside of the top of a mail box only a fragment of which is shown.

Figure 2 is a view similar to Figure 1 but showing the coin holder in position for ex- 2 tracting the coins.

Figure 3 is a detached front view of the device shown in Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a vertical section through the structure shown in Figure 3.

Figure 5 is a side View of a modified form of hanger for supporting the coin holder.

In carrying out the invention I provide a hanger designated generally by the reference character A and comprising a base or attaching plate 1 and the spaced ears 2 extended from opposite sides of the said base. The base 1 is provided with threaded aper tures 3 and the ears have pivot apertures 4. The hanger A may be mounted in any desired position within a wall 5, of the mail box, a fragment of which'is shown at 6 by means of screws 7 entering the said apertures 3 or by any other suitable, fastening means. The drawing illustrates the device as hung from the upper side or top of the mail box but it is apparent that it may be mounted in any other desired position within the box. The coin holder designated generally at B is generally cylindrical in form and has 5 its closed ends 8 provided with small cen- 1930; Serial No. 443,298.

trally disposedpivot studs 9 which are journaled in the pivot apertures ,4 in the ears 2. on the hanger A. Asegment of sub stantially a quarter of thecylinder is cut away as shown at 10 and the radiating faces of-the remainder of'thecylinder are closed by the walls 11 and 12.; This construction provides a longitudinal finger notch 13 in the cylinder, the purpose of which will be described. A weight 14 is securely mounted within the cylinder adjacent the wall 12 and serves through force of gravity to normally retain the said cylinder in the position shown in Figures 1, 3 and 4, that is, with the notch 13 directed forwardly in the mail box. A longitudinal extended coin slot 15 is provided adjacent the wall 11 and the same opens into the open space 16 of the cylinder which acts as the coin chamber or receptacle. The desired coins are placed in this receptacle 16 through the slot 15 and it is understood that the coins can not escape from said receptacle while the coin holder remains in its normal'position as shown.

To remove the coins from the coin holder the cylinder is rotated on its pivots 9 by means of, the finger tips which are inserted in the notch 13. When the cylinder has been rotated to the position shown in Figure 2 the coins will slide out the slot 15 into the palm of the hand. It will be readily apparent that the foregoing action may be readily accomplished even with gloves on the hands. The coins are thus easily and conveniently removed which is not possible when the coins must be picked up.

Figure 5 illustrates a modification of the hanger A in which the ears 17 are angularly extended. as at 18. This. hanger is par ticularly adapted for mounting on the inside of the mail box door, inasmuch as itsbase 19 may be secured to the door at substantially a mid point thereof and the coin holder be hung adjacent the front or upper edge of the door and not interfere with placing mail in the box. It is understood that hangers of various other forms may be employed; Also the coin holder B may be cast in one piece instead of being made of sheet metal as shown if sodesired.

While I have herein set forth a certain preferred embodiment of my invention it is understood that I may vary from the same in minor structural details, not departing from the spirit of the invention and within the scope of the appended claim.

I claim:

In combination with a mail box, a coin holder journaled at its ends within the box, the said coin holder being approximately three quarters cylindrical, the space at the remaining quarter being closed by radially extended Walls forming a finger notch for manipulating the device, and there being a longitudinally extended coin slot opening into the holder flush with one of the radially extended walls, and a weight positioned within the holder oppositely to the said coin slot for normally turning the said slot upwardly.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

DAVID A. LIGHTY. 

